Westmoreland Review

Rep. Jill Cooper has announced the allocation of grant funding to various local governments within Pennsylvania's 55th Legislative District. These grants aim to assist in the completion of several infrastructure projects, including improvements to sewage treatment facilities.

"Support from this grant program goes a long way in making certain that local governments have the resources they need to provide important services without passing high bills on to residents and taxpayers," stated Cooper. "Without these grants, municipalities would face either raising rates and taxes or simply having to put projects on hold."

Among the awarded funds, Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority received $850,000 for upgrades at the Meadowbrook Road Sewage Treatment Plant in Murrysville. The City of Lower Burrell was granted nearly $300,000 for installing a sanitary sewer line in Kinloch neighborhood.

These Local Share Account grants derive from gaming funds under the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004), supporting economic development and public interest projects.

Additionally, through the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program, Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center secured nearly $2.5 million for energy efficiency enhancements at its New Stanton facility. This project is projected to save taxpayers about 30% annually in energy costs.

"Most local governments have a list of projects they would like to complete but are very conscious of what their residents can afford," said Cooper. "These grants help fill the gaps so that projects get completed in an affordable manner."

Further allocations include:

- Export Borough: $204,750 for constructing a new municipal garage and salt storage shed.

- Loyalhanna Township: $185,349 for replacing a 20-year-old mower.

- Municipality of Murrysville: $800,000 for replacing Logan Ferry Road bridge over Haymaker Run.

- New Alexandria Borough: $226,328 for resurfacing five borough roadways.

- Oklahoma Borough: $99,531 for paving Oklahoma Borough Park's parking lot.

- Salem Township: $498,526 for replacing a 31-year-old Gradall excavator.